Meet the Pastor

Father Bandura entered St. Mark Seminary after graduating from Ford City High School in 2005. He completed his academic studies at Gannon University in 2009. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work with a minor in Philosophy. At this time, he continued his studies at St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he graduated in 2013 with a Master of Divinity Degree and a Baccalaureate of Sacred Theology. On June 1, 2013, Father Bandura was ordained a priest at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg, by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, Fourth Bishop of Greensburg. Father Bandura has served in the following assignments:

• 2013-2015: Parochial Vicar of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and Assistant Episcopal Master of Ceremonies
• June 2013 - June 2021: Chaplain and teacher of Theology at Greensburg Central Catholic Jr.-Sr. High School.
• 2015-2016: Parochial Vicar of Mother of Sorrows Parish, Murrysville
• 2016 – 2020: Episcopal Master of Ceremonies to The Most Reverend Edward C. Malesic, JCL, Fifth Bishop of Greensburg

In 2015, Father Bandura was appointed the assistant to the Office of Clergy Vocations and in 2017, he was named the Director of the Office for Priestly Vocations, which continues to be one of his ministries in the Diocese of Greensburg. 

In February of 2021, Father Bandura was appointed the Administrator of Saint James Parish in New Alexandria and named pastor in June (2021). 

In June of 2024, Father Bandura was appointed Director of the Office of the Permanent Diaconate. 

In addition to these responsibilities, Fr. Bandura serves as Vicar Forane and is the Dean of Deanery Five in the Diocese of Greenburg.